Abstract:Urban waste management is one of the most challenging issues in energy planning of medium and large cities. In addition to the traditional landfill method, many studies are investigating energy harvesting from waste, not as a panacea but as a foreseeable solution. Thermo-chemical conversion to biogas, or even bio-methane under certain conditions, could be an option to address this challenge. This study focuses on municipal solid waste conversion to biogas as a local energy supply for the cities. Three urban models and their subdivision into urban areas were identified along with a typical Organic Fraction of Municipal Solid Waste (OFMSW) matrix for each urban area. Then, an energy analysis was carried out to provide an optimization map for an informed choice by urban policy-makers and stakeholders. The results highlighted how the urban context and its use could affect the opportunity to produce energy from waste or to convert it in fuel. So, in this case, sustainability means waste turning from a problem to a renewable resource.
Eco-fuels are a sustainable solution to face increasing global energy consumptions and GHG emissions. This work was firstly focused on available renewables assessment linked to a local dimension. Furthermore, identifying the potential Eco-fuels capability, it was discussed how the capital expenditure for infrastructures is associated with carbon avoidance costs.\ud
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A coastal municipality and an inland one, located in Central Italy, are selected as case studies.\ud
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In order to assess PV and agro-forestry residues availability, a GIS-based analysis was performed. In this framework, a new energy scenario, based on H2NG blends use and ligneous biomass conversion, was presented. Specifically, the hydrogen for NG enrichment was produced by renewable electricity, while biomass energy content was evaluated considering gasification process.\ud
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Finally, the governmental incentive schemes incidence (in force for bioenergy and hypothesized for hydrogen) on investments economic sustainability and on infrastructure deployment was compared in terms of carbon avoidance costs
The paper presents data resulting by the preliminary experimental campaign performed on a micro CHP (combined heat and power) pre-commercial version (5 kWel) designed for dwellings. The engine employs the lubricant oil as the jacket coolant to simplify the heat recovery architecture and it was equipped by a condensing heat exchanger as well. The tests have been carried out at rated and partial load up to 2.9 kWel (59% of rated load) in condensing mode, fuelling the NG engine with hydrogen percentages equal to 0% vol. and 15% vol. In order to evaluate the CHP energy performance, the analysis was conducted for 160 h, using an alkaline electrolyser for hydrogen production, a static heat meter and two mass flow meters for both hydrogen and NG. The aim of this paper is to illustrate how the use of the hydrogen enrichment in a micro CHP plant, based on ICE technology, represents a foreseeable bridge solution to the forthcoming SOFC deployment
Starting from the multi-year experience in environmentally friendly building projects gained by CITERA of the Faculty of Architecture (Sapienza University of Rome), the main goal of this paper is to apply this expertise for the planning of environmentally sound service buildings and facilities in natural protected areas, in order to increase tourist facilities avoiding the subsequent environmental impacts that too often are produced in areas with high environmental and landscaping values. Therefore, this paper will take into account the relationships between service buildings for tourism and their eventual ecological impacts in the surrounding areas, in order to pinpoint innovative envelope technologies as well as technical smart solutions for a sustainable promotion of tourist facilities, including, in addition to service buildings, even the requalification of paths and water routes. The other central aim of the project is to propose practical methods for the use of these service buildings and facilities as favourable places to disseminate environmental protection notions. Furthermore, the project foresees the application of a case study in the Bracciano-Martignano Regional Park. The obtained results may be used by other protected areas administrations as possible solutions for improving environmental sustainability of their tourism management plans.
The redevelopment of the building system framework can generate a significant impact in an area of great artistic and architectural value as the historical centre of Rome. This paper illustrates the case study of a building located in this particular area of Rome on which the energy consumption and environmental improvements, resulting from interventions such as retrofitting of technological systems, are being evaluated. An integrated design model can resolve issues relating to building maintenance, energy conservation and the integration of renewable energy sources. The study will focus on the identification of high efficiency and low environmental impact systems that are best suited for buildings of historical value placed in complex areas such as town centres. In order to quantify the potential of the proposed solutions, an innovative solution InWall will be illustrated through a specific concept process. The methodology of the proposed project is intended to provide a preliminary approach for the achievement of similar interventions at a large scale. 31% of Italian buildings were in fact constructed over 65 years ago.
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